Downend's Matt Jackson with a Man of the Match performance

The relegation battle in Premier 1 was thrown wide open last weekend, the results meaning that just 26 points separate 6 teams, as the two favourites to go down recorded solid victories, with Taunton St Andrews and Bristol cruising across the finish line against Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater respectively.

Weston’s batting left much to be desired as they struggled to reach 159-9, several batsmen reaching the 20s but failed to push on. The Saints reached the target in the 41^st over that to half centuries from Steve Jenkins and Jacob Lintott.

Bristol’s victory over Bridgwater was thanks in the main to 81 from Will Tavare and 40s from Steve Snell and Alan Hunt which allowed them to post the respectable 232-5. Top scores for both Mitchell Windsor and the injured Steve Davis was not enough and they fell 73 runs short.

Elsewhere Downend achieved the result of the season so far with a resounding victory over league leaders Frocester. Undoubted Man of the Match Matt Jackson hit 54 in a total of 212 then took 4-20 as Frocester were bowled out to 103.

This played into Bath’s hands as their victory against Corsham reduced the gap at the top of the table to just 3 points, as they successfully chased 224. Tom Bowler top scored for Corsham hitting 54 not out, but the other batsmen failed to capitalise on good starts, while Mike Smyth and Lloyd Davis finished off proceedings in quick time at Bath recorded their victory in the 45^th over.

Rounding off the first dry weekend for a month Taunton Deane comfortably beat Thornbury, as despite 3 wickets a piece for Wayne Kylander and Juvaunie Gayle, Rob Woodman hit 69 out to lead from the from at Taunton Deane posted 238. The Thornbury openers seemed to be setting up a Thornbury victory, putting on 90 for the first wicket, however a mass capitulation of wickets saw Thornbury crash to 161 all out.